Psychometric Properties of Scores from the Web-Based LibQUAL+ Study of Perceptions of Library Service Quality

published or submitted for publicatio

Users' Perceptions of Library Service Quality: A LibQUAL+ Qualitative Study

published or submitted for publicatio

The Effects of Soil pH and Texture on the Molting Success and Survival of Blacklegged Ticks (Ixodes scapularis): A Field Experiment

The blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis) is the primary vector of Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease. When a tick is not questing or feeding, the majority of its life is spent within the soil. Abiotic factors within soil have been shown to affect tick molting and survival across all life stages. Soil pH, however, has not been heavily investigated. In this field study, I investigated the effects of soil pH and texture on engorged nymphal ticks. Two sites were chosen to encompass the extremes of soil pH in the region; the Albany Pine Bush in Albany, NY has acidic, loam soils and Wolf Hollow in Schenectady, NY has more alkaline, silt-loam soils. In July 2013, four plots, each containing three treatments (undisturbed soil/unaltered pH, disturbed soil/unaltered pH, and disturbed soil/altered pH), were placed at each site. Engorged nymphs were collected from chipmunks and placed within soil cores in each plot. Tick body burden data on the chipmunks was also collected and analyzed, revealing that scrotal males had significantly higher body burdens than non-scrotal males. Tick drags were also conducted at the end of July, confirming that the Albany Pine Bush had higher tick densities. In October 2013, the cores were removed and searched for surviving adult ticks. Although there was significant variation in survival, neither pH nor texture explained the pattern. The disappearances of ticks combined with finding insects within the cores suggest an avenue for further research

Fluency Interventions and the Impact on Comprehension

Reading fluency is understood to be the rate and accuracy of that which is being read and comprehension is the understanding of what has been read. Many studies support the concept that fluency skills support reading comprehension. Many students with specific learning disabilities lack the fluency skills needed for successful reading comprehension. This study provided fluency interventions to elementary students with specific learning disabilities and evaluated any comprehension gains. Students graphed their own fluency gains during the interventions and a pre-test and post-test were given to monitor comprehension. There was in increase in both the average fluency rate for each group and the average comprehension scores, however, the increases in comprehension were not a statistically significant amount

Mexico-United States Dialogue on Migration and Border Issues, 2001-2006

This report, which will be updated periodically, focuses on the interactions between Mexico and the United States on migration and border issues during the administrations of President George W. Bush and President Vicente Fox of Mexico. These interactions are increasingly tense in 2006 due to violence in the border region and debate over U.S. immigration reform. The discussions and agreements fall into four areas: (1) the bilateral migration talks, (2) the Partnership for Prosperity, (3) the Border Partnership Agreement, and (4) the trilateral "Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) of North America.

Mexico-United States Dialogue on Migration and Border Issues, 2001-2006

This report focuses on the interactions between Mexico and the United States on migration and border issues during the administrations of President George W. Bush and President Vicente Fox of Mexico. The discussions and agreements fall into four areas: (1) the bilateral migration talks, (2) the Partnership for Prosperity, (3) the Border Partnership Agreement, and (4) the trilateral “Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) of North America

Mexico-United States Dialogue on Migration and Border Issues, 2001-2006

This report focuses on the interactions between Mexico and the United States on migration and border issues during the administrations of President George W. Bush and President Vicente Fox of Mexico. The discussions and agreements fall into four areas: (1) the bilateral migration talks, (2) the Partnership for Prosperity, (3) the Border Partnership Agreement, and (4) the trilateral “Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) of North America

Ocular Findings in the 16p11.2 Microdeletion Syndrome: A Case Report and Literature Review

The recurrent 16p11.2 microdeletion is characterized by developmental delays and a wide spectrum of congenital anomalies. It has been well reported that individuals with this ∼593-kb interstitial deletion have an increased susceptibility toward the autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Abnormalities of the eye and ocular adnexa are also commonly associated findings seen in individuals with the 16p11.2 microdeletion syndrome, although these ophthalmic manifestations have not been well characterized. We conducted an extensive literature review to highlight the eye features in patients with the 16p11.2 microdeletion syndrome and describe a 5-year-old boy with the syndrome. The boy initially presented with intellectual disability, speech delay, and defiant behavior; diagnoses of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) were established. He had a Chiari malformation type 1. His ophthalmic features included strabismus, hyperopia, and ptosis, and a posterior embryotoxon was present bilaterally. From a systematic review of prior reported cases, the most common eye and ocular adnexa findings observed were downslanting palpebral fissures, deep-set eyes, ptosis, and hypertelorism

Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Partnership

The Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Partnership has enrolled students with disabilities from local public high schools for the past 6 semesters, since the Fall of 2012. These students audit courses that match their personal interests or career goals in order to experience a fully inclusive higher educational setting